Netanyahu slams ‘distorted’ reports on his planned judicial reforms

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismisses as “false” media reports about his alleged plans to severely hinder the Supreme Court’s oversight of Knesset legislation and government decisions, and promote a law shielding the premier from prosecution.

“My policy has always been to keep the court independent and strong, but that doesn’t mean an omnipotent court,” Netanyahu tweets.

“The media is publishing tendentious leaks and distorted analyses that include proposals that are false,” he says. “All this is done to sow fear and prevent any change, aiming to hinder the return of the necessary balance between state branches in Israel.

“That balance is needed to pass laws that in the past were blocked or hindered in the past,” he adds. “These are laws the public expects us to pass: deportation of terrorists’ families, death penalty for terrorists and a law to expel infiltrators.”

The last law is a reference to African asylum-seekers, tens of thousands of whom are currently in Israel and whom right-wing activists and politicians are seeking to deport.